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April 20, 2018

Cable operators to be included in Swasthya Sathi, Social Security schemes: Mamata Banerjee

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today spoke at a conference of the State’s MSOs and cable operators at Netaji Indoor Stadium, Kolkata. She announced that all cable operators are henceforth being brought under the State Government’s Social Security Scheme and Swasthya Sathi group health insurance scheme. She also set up an advisory body to look into the issues faced by cable operators.

Highlights of the Chief Minister’s speech:

A cable television network advisory body would be created, to be chaired by Firhad Hakim. The other members would be Moloy Ghatak, Aroop Biswas, Sovan Chattopadhyay, DGP, CP, Chairman of Press Accreditation Committee and three invited members (two of whom would represent broadcasters and one representing the MSOs). Everyone would have to sit together in order to solve the problems faced by cable television operators.

The Labour Minister would see to the signing of a tripartite agreement between cable operators, MSOs and broadcasters so that all parties benefit.

I have regards for all channels. Since cable television is an industry, if the MSOs want, they can form a joint venture with the State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Department, through which the Government will be able to arrange for various training programmes for them.

In all, 25,000 cable operators and their 1.3 lakh family members would be brought under the Swasthya Sathi Scheme. They would get Rs 5 lakh per family per year for medical treatment.

Cable operators would be brought under the Rupashree Scheme.

Cable operators would be brought under the Social Security Scheme. After crossing 60 years, they would get a pension of Rs 1,500 per month and a one-time grant of Rs 2 lakh. If the operators meet with any accident, they would get Rs 60,000 for operations. While in office, for natural death, they would get Rs 50,000 and for accidental death, Rs 1.5 lakh. Businesses worth up to Rs 20 lakh would be exempt from GST.

To solve the problem of low-hanging overhead cables (for transmitting cable signals), which are an eyesore, a model system would be set up based on PPP model by all concerned together.

We need the cooperation of cable operators in running the community development programmes to be conducted by the police across the state.

In every district, there would be a nodal officer, representing MSOs and cable operators for liaising with the police.